15 Austin Ice Cream and Gelato Shops to Keep You Cool

Get the scoop on 15 ice cream and gelato shops that will keep you cool (and on a sugar high) all summer long

By Jolène M. Bouchon

Published: August 15, 2016

Photo by Hayden Spears

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It’s August in Austin, and nothing short of a portable, personal A/C unit is going to make being outside tolerable. Luckily, we have it, and it is called ice cream. Back in the day, you might have only been able to get your scoops at a few mom-and-pop shops and national chains. But these days, Austinites are spoiled for choice with all the unique craft, artisanal and just plain cool ice cream and gelato places around town. In the following list, you’ll find 15 shops to taste a variety of flavors, toppings and concoctions. Ain’t life sweet?

Amy’s Ice Creams

The grande dame of our city’s specialty ice cream scene, Amy’s has been slinging scoops in town since 1984. Known as much for its crush’ns as its scoopers’ acrobatics—check out the store’s annual Trick Olympics—the chain has grown from its original spot on Guadalupe Street into 12 cheerfully outfitted locations citywide and one each in Houston and San Antonio. Though the shop serves a host of rotating flavors, you can always count on the seven standards, including perennial favorites Mexican vanilla, Belgian chocolate and white chocolate. Multiple locations, amysicecreams.com

Dolce Neve

If you’ve ever wished ice cream wasn’t so bad for you, gelato’s your dream come true. It’s up to 60 percent lower in fat than typical ice cream, but because it’s churned more slowly and served at a warmer temperature, it’s creamier and way more intensely flavored. Dolce Neve one-ups gelato’s wholesome profile by using organic milk from local sources and no artificial anything. All ingredients are processed in house, and gelatos are made from scratch just behind the counter, so you can see the magic happen. You can’t go wrong with a scoop of crema pasticcera (sweet ricotta with lemon zest) or orange chocolate or one of the gelato sandwiches made with pistachio lemon shortbread. 1713 S. First St., (512) 804-5568, dolcenevegelato.com

The Science Cream

Ice cream meets science project in one delicious dessert at The Science Cream, which relies on fresh ingredients and liquid nitrogen to make ice cream and sorbets to order. Try a scoop or two of strawberry cheesecake, pistachio oil or Mexican chocolate, and make it even more decadent by pairing your freshly made ice cream with crepes, churros or doughnuts. 1511 S. Congress Ave.; 1905 S. Capital of Texas Hwy.; (512) 986-1281; thesciencecream.com

Dolce Vita

This favorite Hyde Park hangout is equal parts bar, cafe and scoop shop, serving a small, rotating selection of gelatos (try the espresso flavor) and sorbettos, along with more fortifying paninis and salads—and, of course, its sorberitas. Yes, you figured that right: It’s a margarita made with sorbet. Could there be anything more Austin? 4222 Duval St., (512) 323-2686, facebook.com/dolcevitaaustin

Photo by Kate LeSueur

Gelateria Gemelli

One of the five gelaterias on our list, Gemelli brings high-quality, small-batch, scratch-made gelato and coffee to the East Side. Using locally sourced, organic dairy products, Gemelli features a rotating menu of seasonal flavors as well as the classics, including olive oil and fernet stracciatella, a chocolate shard–studded scoop flavored with Italy’s signature bitters- and herbs-liqueur. Speaking of liqueur, Gemelli also offers a selection of amaro as well as Italian sparkling wines and cocktails, such as a negroni and Aperol spritz. 1009 E. Sixth St., (512) 535-2170; 1906 E. Cesar Chavez St. (trailer); gelateriagemelli.com

​Moojo

If ice cream sandwiches are your jam, Moojo is just your kind of shop. Customize your dream sandwich: First, pick from a selection of warm cookies, such as chocolate chip chunk, peanut butter and oatmeal raisin (they don’t even need to be the same kind). Then, choose an ice cream flavor to nestle in between and sit back to enjoy the magic. Or, if you’re having trouble deciding, pick from Moojo’s menu of favorites. The shop also serves floats and shakes, which, of course, include a cookie. 2322 Guadalupe St., (512) 473-8759, moojo.net

Michoacana Natural Ice Cream

This cheerful North Austin sweet shop will transport you to Mexico with its selection of aguas frescas, fruit-filled paletas (Popsicles), chile-dusted fruit salads, chocolate-coated frozen fruit and colorful ice creams. Though we’re partial to the peach-hued piñon ice cream (yes, pine nuts!), we wouldn’t blame you for wanting to try all of Michoacana’s treats. 9426 Parkfield Drive, (512) 740-2990, facebook.com/michoacana-natural-ice-cream